Penned by Academy Award nominee Lonne Elder, III, the classic 1969 Harlem-set drama will be directed by the widow of the late playwright, Judyann Elder. Ceremonies will run Jan. 14-18, 2009, at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Turman ("The Wire"), Carroll (The Piano Lesson) and Cothran, Jr. ("Black Snake Moan") will be joined by additional cast members, who will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Ceremonies illuminated the dilemma of a black family living in Harlem at the dawn of the sixties," said director Judyann Elder in a statement. "In a place like Harlem, populated by marginalized people, it reflected the social, economic and political quagmire that institutionalized racism can spawn. Now, over 40 years since its conception, this American classic still resonates with clarion clarity. The United States has, with the election of Barack Obama as President, finally chosen content of character over color of skin. Nonetheless, the wretched vestiges of prejudice, impoverishment and self-victimization continue to cripple and corrupt inner-city communities all over America. And, indeed, the world."

As with all L.A.T.W. productions, Ceremonies will be presented at the Skirball Cultural Center and will be recorded and subsequently broadcast on L.A.T.W.'s nationally syndicated radio theatre series "The Play's the Thing."

For tickets, priced $20-$48, to any of "The Play's The Thing" productions at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, call the L.A. Theatre Works box office at (310) 827-0889. For more information visit latw.org.